Sonia hits out at Gujarat model

Valsad (Gujarat), April 24:

president

Thursday took on

on his home turf, accusing the

's prime ministerial candidate of not doing enough to prevent corruption in his state.

"I want to know why the Gujarat government took 10 years to appoint a Lokayukta here?" Gandhi said at a public meeting in Valsad.

Taking a jibe at the Gujarat model, Gandhi said the state was burdened with a debt of Rs.175,000 crore.

"The BJP claims that if it is elected, heaven will come down on Earth. The truth is Gujarat is burdened with debt," Gandhi said.

The government here has nothing to do with the poor: Sonia Gandhi

She alleged that the Gujarat government did not care for the poor.

"The government here has nothing to do with the poor. This is why those who earn more than Rs.11 a day are not considered poor in this state," she said.

The Congress chief also said the school dropout rate for chidlren was highest in Gujarat, and one out of every two children in the state was malnourished.

She called on people to vote for the Congress, reminding them of the party's poll promise of free houses for the poor, free medical care for the poor, and pension for senior citizens.